Seven-run fifth costs NMJC, loses to Cisco College 7-2 at regionals

NMJC's Camron Smith throws a pitch Sunday against Cisco.

  LUBBOCK — It started with a solo home run by Jesus Villalobos and was capped by a three-run double by Mark Davis as 13th-ranked Cisco put up seven runs in the fifth inning against New Mexico Junior during the T-Birds’ 7-2 loss to the Wranglers on Sunday in the Region V Tournament winner’s bracket semifinal at Dan Law Field at Rip Griffin Park.
  NMJC will play Clarendon College 10 a.m. Monday in an elimination game in this double-elimination tournament.
  NMJC took a 1-0 lead in the contest on Luis Hernandez's sacrifice fly that scored Damion Lovato in the second inning.
  But the wheels came off for an inning for the T-Birds as the Wranglers scored seven runs on five hits in the fifth frame.
  After NMJC starter Camron Smith gave up the homer to Villalobos, he walked and hit the next batter to put two runners on. Then a bunt by Heath Herrington turned into a run after the T-Birds threw the ball away to give the Wranglers a 2-1 advantage.
  Smith was lifted for Ryan Harper, but Harper balked in a run and gave up an RBI single to Rustin Thomas to make it 4-1.
  After a walk loaded the bases and a flyout, Davis ripped a Harper pitch to left-center field for a three-run double (Davis was thrown out at third trying to stretch it into a triple) as Cisco took a commanding 7-1 advantage.
  NMJC scratched a run across in the eighth when Lovato attempted to steal third and the Cisco catcher’s throw sailed high, allowing Lovato to score.
  Smith got the loss, going four-plus innings and giving up four runs on six hits with five strikeouts and a walk. Taylor Reeves was strong in relief for NMJC, tossing 3 1/3 scoreless and hitless innings.